Fire Rescue News- 220 acre forest fire affecting some parts of South Jersey
CAMDEN COUNTY -- A massive fire is affecting parts of our viewing area where crews are busy fighting a 220-acre fire in the Wharton State Forest in Camden County, just over the Atlantic County border.
Some residents in the Hammonton area are actually being affected by smoke from the blaze.
"A lot of smoke, a lot of ash."
It was a sight like no other in Camden County on Thursday night where.....Continue Reading
smoke filled the sky from a 220-acre fire burning in the Wharton State Forest.
"At the present time we have a control line around the entire perimeter of it,” said Section Forest Fire Warden, Russ Fenton.
Forest fire officials received the call just before 4:00 P.M. on Thursday and sent forty workers in to battle the blaze. Employees of the department say the men are pulling together through the flames and extreme heat, and currently have the burn 50% contained.
"It looks worse than what it is right now,” said Fenton.
At this time it is unknown what may have caused the fire. Officials believe it could have been a stray firework from the 4th of July holiday, or a lighting strike from the Wednesday night storm, but they are beginning to rule out all natural causes.
"Its under investigation,” said Fenton. “We have an investigator out there right now.”
The fire is not currently putting any residential areas in danger, but officials say the smoke, combined with the heat and humidity, will cause the biggest visibility problems for residents in the area of Route 206 in Shamong Township. This is where the Forest Fire Command Post is located.
"You feel bad for the people in the area, but I’m sure the fire department will do its job,” said Shamong Township resident, Ed Rocco.
Fire officials remained on the scene throughout Thursday night, and say that they will continue to battle the blaze into Friday.
